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A review by shantastic_reads
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This wonderful book weaves together the lives of three very different people whose paths cross in a Pacific Northwest oceanside town. Tova is a spry elderly widow who silently struggles with the loss of her son, who disappeared without a trace decades earlier. She occupies her time (and her mind) working as a custodian in her hometown's small aquarium, where she befriends Marcellus, one of its inhabitants (or captives, depending on your point of view). Marcellus is a Giant Pacific Octopus who was rescued and rehabilitated, now forced to live out his remaining days in a tank that is woefully unstimulating for someone of his intelligence. He occupies his time (and his mind) sneaking out of his tank at night to search for food and treasures, which he secrets within the rocks of his tank. Both Marcellus and Tova meet Cameron when he comes to work at the aquarium, hired partly to fill in for Tova after she is consigned to take time off for an injury. Cameron is a young man who recently came to town from California, where he was raised by his great aunt after his mother left him when he was nine years old. He occupies his time (and his mind) with his quest to locate the man he believes is his father.
The occupations of all three converge in unexpected and poignant ways. The narration is creatively structured - third person point of view for all except Marcellus, who is in first person, and so we are treated to his amusing and poignant perspective and wisdom. Marcellus possesses knowledge that other characters do not. We as readers become privy to this information, and we get to watch, much like Marcellus in his tank, the other characters carry on toward and away from truths that they themselves cannot discern. I really enjoyed this clever aspect of the narrative, how it created tension as we as readers are now left to wonder if and how the characters will find the answers they seek.
I loved the writing style. The prose is clear and straightforward while also being witty, humorous, engaging, and moving. Not overly wordy, not overly explanatory, and makes for a well-balanced pace. It's its own unique style, but gave me Barbara Kingsolver, Fredrik Backman, and Kira Jane Buxton vibes.
Remarkably Bright Creatures hits shelves on May 3, 2022. I am grateful to have received a downloadable review copy via Edelweiss+ from the publisher Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins.
The occupations of all three converge in unexpected and poignant ways. The narration is creatively structured - third person point of view for all except Marcellus, who is in first person, and so we are treated to his amusing and poignant perspective and wisdom. Marcellus possesses knowledge that other characters do not. We as readers become privy to this information, and we get to watch, much like Marcellus in his tank, the other characters carry on toward and away from truths that they themselves cannot discern. I really enjoyed this clever aspect of the narrative, how it created tension as we as readers are now left to wonder if and how the characters will find the answers they seek.
I loved the writing style. The prose is clear and straightforward while also being witty, humorous, engaging, and moving. Not overly wordy, not overly explanatory, and makes for a well-balanced pace. It's its own unique style, but gave me Barbara Kingsolver, Fredrik Backman, and Kira Jane Buxton vibes.
Remarkably Bright Creatures hits shelves on May 3, 2022. I am grateful to have received a downloadable review copy via Edelweiss+ from the publisher Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Child death
Minor: Cancer and Death